Hydrodynamic coupling device



2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 30. 1950 May 15, 1956 R. c. zr-:xDLER2,745,352

HYDRODYNAMIC COUPLING DEVICE Filed Aug. 30. 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2fnl/enfer# .ziLoZcZ dier Q52 5 ff tation Vof v the reaction-V memberwith v. theinipeller fand turbine, i, e.,upon the fluidstrikingthe'backsof Athe-vanes Y V2 745352 .of the statorythe one-way.brake willreleasethestator for. i s Y "HYDRODYNAll/IIC ,CDPLING DEVICE j@Reinhold Ci* Zeidler,'-Detl'oivv Mich.,- assignor to f Borg- Y WarnerCorporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation-.of

invention relates Vto hydrodynamic coupling devices and,.moreparticularly, to' suchcouplingdevices having .vaned elementsrplacedi'adjacent each Yother -and operating .by .toroidal circulation`ofluid in ay closedtoroidal circuit proved .vaned element of thehydrodynamic coupling device; whichvaned element is lsimple and ruggedin construction, .lightin weight, andeasyA and inexpensive'tofabricate.- Y i p Another object-of .the invention .is to provide anirng 3 proved yvariedA element 'of a hydrodynamic'- coupling device,

f the vaned element being of compositedesign yor structure andcomprising a vaned portion which is formed of light weight metal, suchasaluminumfand a hub-portion for I yassociation with a relatively movablemember of .the-coupling device and `formeclof a metal, such as steel,adapted to withstand wear in'lthe operation of the coupling device. Amorefparticular objectbf the inveution'isV toprovide an improvedreaction member or stator structureof a hy- UnitedStates PatentOrotation. Y Y v i Thepresentinvention is directedfprimarily to thestructureof the stator or reaction member. Thestator element comprises avaned 'portion 16 provided by arrplurality-.of vanes 17, an arcuateysupportingportion 1S and anannular shroudor core 19,-the vanesconnecting the support- A ing member 18 and the core rin'g19fv`Thestator element also=comprises a hub portion 20 rotatably supported -ontwoY L-section bearing members'zl andi-Hin the form` of 2i and 22- a-ndalso an:outer annularraceway for `engageannular rings and betweenlwh'ichisdispos'edtheone-way Y brake ,15,l whichmay belof thetsprag .typeasshown, ythe nub portionf-'Zilloi the stator lelement having aninternalsurface -23 providing bearing surfaces engagingV thev rings mentwitl'rthe sprags 24 ofthe one-.way brake, .therebeing Van annularinnerracewayZ-splinedto a sleeve/25a which Vis Xed to a part Z517 Aofastationarycasing. Y

lt isdesirable in the fabricationfof vanedfelenentsof hydrodynamiccouplingv devicesthat the relatively-rotatvable elements beform'ed -ofsome light, weightmaterial to minimize centrifugal forces arisingatoperatingspeeds, such material may be o'flightsheet-metal,V suchassteel, as exemplified 4inthe impeller and .turbineconstructionfdrodynamicy coupling deviceoflthe torque-multiplying typeinwhich thevanedportion thereof isr formed'of alulrninumand mechanically connectedto-an annular hub portion of` steel rotatably mounting the` statorelement and adapted to cooperate with one-way brake structureconventionally used in hydrodynamic coupling-devices of thetorque-multiplying type.

These and other 'objects -and features of the invention-willbecomeapparent from `Vthe-iollowing description taken together withthe accompanyingdrawings;in..which: Y

f Fig. 1 is an axial section'of a fragmentary portion, preferablytheupper half Vof the impeller, turbine and stator ,'elements ofahydrodynamic coupling device;

Fig. Zis an enlarged sectionalview of the-stator element vshown in Fig'.1;

' Y Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the stator element shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4Vs a side elevationof the hub memberof the statorelementshown'iri'ligs. l; 2 and 3; 'andV Fig. 5 is 'af sectional vi'ewof`the-hub member shown in ung. 4.

Referring now to`Fig. lof the drawings, the-'illustrated hydrodynamiccoupling device is of -the torque-multiplying rial `o" thestator elementand, more fparticularly, the varied :portionff` thereof including .'theVvanes r17, flthe -supporting memberflfandithe core Lr'ing'19f Suchrr'taterials providefor the. ready and Yeconomical manufacture Yof'.,these vanedelement'sfwhile having-:otherfad- :Itis well known in theart that casting methodsfcanbe vvused to Lsatisfactorily f providedYvanedfelements, nas evidencedlby the .conventionalformation .ofksuch-varied elenrentsA by casting. aluminum :byQl die-casting, or .byuse Aof plastenorsandmolds. Whilelaluininum is 'advantage- `vnous' dueto its. light Weight and readycastiug tolaa desired form, it willr wearrapidly lwhen subject torslight'fr-iction.

=Accrdinglyif vanV aluminum. vaned4 element hasl `its hub providingabearing surface rotatablyA mountingthe Velefuient;V or-in-the Vcase ofastator `formed ioffaluminum `havingahub rotatably Vmounted on bearingsY.and-subcome. distorted.

VThe fpresent,l invention isndesigned lto.-satisfactorily.,pro- -=videafsolution tothisproblemin theY art *by-forming the varied Aportion .ofAthe `coupling' element of aluminum. .and the hub *portion of j the.coupling element -`ofv steel,-.v .and f mechanically `r.interlockingthe aluminum vaned portion with @the steel hub. .Such coupling'elementconstruction is .shim/n.T in Fig.. 1,.wherein-the steel-hub--portionlG-has its ,bearing surface. 23,. rotatably `mounting the.stator elei '2,745,352` Patented', May 1.*5, ,1956.v

Y vaturbine -or' driven;elementA 11, and a--stator or'reactionelement'lZ. Y"l' he hydrodynamic coupling device functions l to multiplytorque between an input member- 13 and an -Y .mention the Abearinge1ements`v21fand22-and Awith which surface 23: Vthe one-Way.Sclutc'hljelements,such -as'the `output member-"'14 respectively securedto the impellei 10 mand-turbine 11, the vanes of the -impellerlll-imparting -`energy to a body of uid within the coupling-.device-andthe turbine elementll receiving the energy from the uid, the statorbeing held from rotation by a one-Way brake 15 to provide multiplicationof torque by the hydrodynamic coupling device. As is well known in theart, changes in the directions of the uid flowing from the turbine tothe reaction member during decreasing torque-multiplying stages of thecoupling device will eventually eiect rosprags 24 can:be Arepeatedlyengagdi with slight wearf to the 'surfacfkoffth'e hubipor/tion12,4). Moreparticularly and referring toFigs. 2K, 43nd 5, the-steelhubimember() is substantially v'l5-shaped in.cross-setion,-.withthe-vertical leg portion 20a of the T-shape memberbeing somewhat pyramidal in shape, extending radially outward of thehorizontal cross portion 26 and having sides converging toward theradially outer extremity of the ring, a plurality of projections or lugs27 extending outwardly from the converging sides of the member, theprojections 27 being circumferentially spaced from each other and withthe lin Figs. 2 and 3` on the aluminum supporting portion 18 will belocated within the spaces or. recesses 23 between` the projections ofthe hub member to securely interlock the hub portion 2 0 yand the vanedportion 16 of Vthe stator. Y I

Fromthe. foregoing hydrodynamic coupling.

f fsets of'proje'ctions `27jatone side of the leg portion 20a A f-beingincircumferentiallyfstaggered'relation tothe projections 27 Vonjtheother side ofthe leg portion 20a. The A annular steel hub member is thenpositioned withinplas- "f ter 'orsandj molds Ahaving cavitieseonformingfto the .jfshapeo'f thefa'luminurnsupportingLmemberj'1S,"vanesf 17vv andcore ring `19 yof the vanedportionY '16 lof the'stator,l and thereafter molten aluminum pouredinto` the;V plaster or :sandvmo'lds and allowed 'to'cool'toform theYVassembled stator.V lt` willbe apparent that as the molten aluminum`o`ws` into the mold cavities" that the aluminum f willow'about thevertical leg portion 20a of the steel description, it will be apparentvY that I have provided an ir'npro'ved vaned element ofa It is within thecontemplation` ofv my invention that the reaction member or statorV ele!t pliedto l.other vaned elements having the vanes and member, supportingthe vanes, madeof aluminum, and

e device,VV thecombination' oigan annular :vanedportion having a Ahubportion mechanically interlocked with the 'i vane-supporting member,Vthe hub portion beingrmade v Vofksteelfor other metal highly resistant`to wear, and pro- Y 'viding a bearing surface Yfor rotatably Supportingthe vaned element'on a relativelytrotatable m ember, sucli J as aVtransmission shaft; The invention', therefore, is

not to be ,limited tothe embodiment ofthe invention illustratedand'described but .onlyras limited by the apj pended claims.

I claim:

yl. In a vaned element of a hydrodynamic coupling-Q' device, thecombination of a vaned portioncomprising an annularfsu'pporting member,and a pluralityv of generally 2radial vanes extending outwardlytherefrom, said vaned portion being formed of metal having low wearresistance properties; and an annular hub portion withinxsaid' ani"nular supporting member and having an internalbearing surface, said hubportion beingformed of metal hav` ing high Wear resistance properties;and means mechani` cally interlocking said supporting member and saidhub portion, said means comprising sets Vof circumferentially spacedprojections extendingiradially outwardly of said hub portion on oppositesides thereof received within recesses inv said supporting member,'theprojections of one set being in circumferentially staggered relation tothe projections of the other set.

2. In a vaned element of a hydrodynamic coupling device, the combinationof an annular vaned portion having an internal groove extendingcircumferentially thereof, said vaned portion being formed of metalVhaving low wear resistance properties, and an annular hub portion withinsaid vaned portion and having a rib extending circumferentially thereofand within said groove of saidV vaned portion to :prevent relative axialmovement of saidvaned portion andsaid hub portion, 'Y said hub portionbeing formed of metal havingV high wear resistance properties; andinterengaging vmeans Von hub portions to prevent relative rotation of'said vaned portion and said hub portion. Y

V the sides of-said rib and on-the Ysides dening the groove in saidvaned portion :for interlocking said vanedjand and an Yannular hubportion withinsaid vaned portion, one'oi"v the adjacent'parts of saidvanedand hub portions having a groove. therein extendingcircumferentiall'y'there-f Vof and the other of the adjacent Vparts ofVsaid portions having a rib extending'circumferentially thereof andreceived within said groove, and interengaging means on f Y' the sidesof said rib and on'the sides definingY the groove insaid one part forinterlocking saidivaned andhub portions.: .Y f

4. inV a Yvaned element` of a hydrodynamiccoupling device, thecombination of. an aluminum, vaned Vportion comprising an annularsupporting member having an arcuate outer part extendingrgenerallyaxiallyofl said member, and a base part extending inwardly of saidarcuate outer part and having an annular groove there in, each side ofYsaid groove being defined by alternately circumferentially spaced lugs`and recesses; andan annular steel hub portion of T-shaped section, thecross' member of the T havinganinternal bearingV surface* andthe leg ofthe T providing an annular rib projecting within Vthe groove in saidbase'part of Vsaid'annular memj ber of saidvaned portion and havingalternately circumassembly and to prevent Y relative movement thereof;

5l In a vanedelement'offahydrodynamc coupling .device, the combinationofV a vanedportion' lcomprising an annular supporting member having anarcuate outerpart'. extending generally' axially oflsaid member, andafbase.

part extending inwardly 4oisaid arcuateouterpartand f having an `annulargroove therein, ea ch side of said groove being .de ined' by`alternately' -circumferentiallyy spaced lugs andrecesses; andjanannular hub portion'V of 'T-shaped'Y section, the cross-member Yof the.T `having an internal surface, andthegleg of the'TV providing anAannular rib projecting v.within the groove in saidbase part of saidannularmember of saidV vaned portion and having Valternatelycircumferentially spaced lugsk and recesses on each side thereof, thelugs' of said rib of said hub portion being received Within the recessesin the' sides of said groove in said base part' of said'annular memberoffsaid'vaned portion and the lugs Von the sides of said groove in saidbaise partof said supporting member of said vaned portion Vbeinglreceived within the recesses in the rib of said hub portion, to.maintain said vaned and hub portions in assembly )and to prevent nrelative movement thereof; j

References Cited in the tile of patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Buch i Oct.14, r1952 I

